Mattel ThingMaker

The ThingMaker is a $300 3D Printer produced by toy giant Mattel. The aim of the ThingMaker is that children can print their own toys at home.

The printer works with a 3D printing app developed in collaboration with Autodesk that is designed to be so simple that even young children can select and customise toys that can be printed using the ThingMaker (or other standard 3D printers). Mattel will release what they term “additional design content, including branded options” like Barbie and Hot Wheels.

Once the basics have been mastered, the app also allows children to design characters from scratch. When a design is complete, the app exports the STL print files wirelessly to your Thingmaker (or other printer). The ThingMaker 3D will use a hard PLA filament and is likely to be able to print around 12 different colours

The name “ThingMaker” originated with Mattel’s 1960s at-home maker device. The original ThingMaker enabled children to make toys like flowers or bugs by pouring liquid plastic-like material called Plastigoop into molds that were heated up then cooled.